Closed-loop therapy adjustment

ABSTRACT

Techniques for detecting a value of a sensed patient parameter, and automatically delivering therapy to a patient according to therapy information previously associated with the detected value, are described. In exemplary embodiments, a medical device receives a therapy adjustment from the patient. In response to the adjustment, the medical device associates a sensed value of a patient parameter with therapy information determined based on the adjustment. Whenever the parameter value is subsequently detected, the medical device delivers therapy according to the associated therapy information. In this manner, the medical device may “learn” to automatically adjust therapy in the manner desired by the patient as the sensed parameter of the patient changes. Exemplary patient parameters that may be sensed for performance of the described techniques include posture, activity, heart rate, electromyography (EMG), an electroencephalogram (EEG), an electrocardiogram (ECG), temperature, respiration rate, and pH.

This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/742,044, filed Dec. 2, 2005, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to medical devices and, more particularly, medicaldevices that deliver therapy.

BACKGROUND

A variety of types of medical devices are used for chronic, e.g.,long-term, provision of therapy to patients. As examples, pulsegenerators are used for chronic provision of cardiac pacing andneurostimulation therapies, and pumps are used for chronic delivery oftherapeutic agents, such as drugs. Typically, such devices providetherapy continuously or periodically according to parameters, e.g., aprogram comprising respective values for each of a plurality ofparameters, specified by a clinician.

In some cases, the patient is allowed to activate and/or modify thetherapy. For example, the symptoms, e.g., the intensity of pain, ofpatients who receive spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy may vary overtime based on the activity level or posture of the patient, the specificactivity undertaken by the patient, or the like. For this reason, apatient who receives SCS therapy from an implantable medical device(IMD), e.g., an implantable pulse generator, is often given a patientprogramming device that communicates with his IMD via device telemetry,and allows the patient to activate the neurostimulation and/or adjustthe intensity of the delivered neurostimulation.

SUMMARY

In general, the invention is directed to techniques for detecting avalue of a sensed patient parameter, and automatically deliveringtherapy to a patient according to therapy information previouslyassociated with the detected value. More particularly, the techniquesinclude receiving a therapy adjustment from the patient or other userand, in response to the adjustment, associating a sensed value of apatient parameter with therapy information determined based on theadjustment. The association may be automatic, or after userconfirmation. Therapy may then be delivered according to the associatedtherapy information whenever the parameter value is subsequentlydetected. In this manner, as an example, a processor of a medical devicethat delivers therapy to the patient, or of some other component of asystem including such a medical device, may “learn” to automaticallyadjust the therapy in the manner desired by the patient as the sensedparameter of the patient changes.

The processor may maintain a data structure, such as a program table.Each individual “record” within the data structure may include therapyinformation associated with a respective parameter value. When theprocessor detects a parameter value, the processor may determine whetherany of the records of the data structure include the parameter value. Ifa record includes the parameter value, the processor may controldelivery of stimulation by the medical device according to the therapyinformation associated with the parameter value in the record.Additionally, when the processor receives a therapy adjustment from thepatient or other user, and associates a patient parameter value withtherapy information, the processor may determine whether any existingrecords already include the parameter value. The processor may modify anexisting record to include the therapy information, or create a newrecord that includes the therapy information. The medical device maydeliver stimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation or some otherneurostimulation, and therapy information may include stimulationparameters, such as respective values for pulse amplitude, width andrate, as well as an electrode configuration.

In some embodiments, a plurality of parameters of the patient is sensed.In such embodiments, therapy information may be associated withrespective values for each of the plurality of parameters in response toreceipt of a therapy adjustment from the patient. In such embodiments,subsequently detection may involve the detection of the particularrespective values in combination. Exemplary patient parameters that maybe sensed for performance of the techniques of the invention includeposture, activity, heart rate, temperature, respiration rate, and pH.

A patient may manually change or adjust stimulation parameters tocustomize the therapy as needed. While manual adjustment may ultimatelyresult in efficacious therapy, it does so only after the time andpatient effort intrinsic in such adjustment. Embodiments of theinvention may be able to more quickly and easily provide a patient withefficacious therapy through “learned” associations of sensed patientparameter values with therapy information. For example, a medical deviceaccording to the invention may learn to automatically adjust therapy inthe manner desired by the patient based on such associations. After asufficient period of therapy, the patient may no longer need to manuallyadjust the therapy because the medical device has learned to use valuesof one or more sensed patient parameters to anticipate any adjustments.

In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a method that comprisesreceiving a therapy adjustment and a subsequent confirmation from auser, determining therapy information based on the therapy adjustment,associating the therapy information with a value of a sensed parameterof a patient in response to the confirmation, subsequently detecting thevalue of the sensed parameter; and automatically delivering therapy tothe patient according to the therapy information associated with thevalue in response to the detection.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a system comprising amedical device that delivers a therapy to a patient, a sensor thatsenses a parameter of the patient, a user interface, and a processor.The processor receives a therapy adjustment and subsequent confirmationfrom a user via the user interface, determines therapy information basedon the therapy adjustment, associates a value of the sensed parameterdetected via the sensor with the therapy information in response to theconfirmation, subsequently detects the value via the sensor, andautomatically controls the medical device to deliver therapy to thepatient according to the therapy information associated with the valuein response to the detection.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a system comprising meansfor sensing a parameter of a patient, means for receiving a therapyadjustment and a subsequent confirmation from a user, means fordetermining therapy information based on the therapy adjustment, meansfor associating the therapy information with a value of a sensedparameter of a patient in response to the confirmation, means forsubsequently detecting the value of the sensed parameter, and means forautomatically delivering therapy to the patient according to the therapyinformation associated with the value in response to the detection.

Further, in other embodiments, the disclosure provides computer-readablemedia comprising instructions that cause a programmable processor toperform any of the methods or techniques described herein.

In various embodiments, the invention may provide one or moreadvantages. For example, the patient may rarely need to manually enteran adjustment to the therapy after a medical device or other componentof a system according to the invention learns to automatically adjustthe therapy based on sensed patient parameter values. In addition, tothe extent that the symptoms of the patient change over time, thepatient may further adjust the therapy, systems according to theinvention may learn to deliver therapy according to these adjustments,e.g., by modifying existing records stored in a program table.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example system thatfacilitates closed-loop therapy adjustment according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example medical device thatdelivers therapy and provides closed-loop adjustment of the therapyaccording to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of amemory of the medical device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example external programmerthat allows a patient to communicate with the medical device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique forautomatically associating therapy information with patient parametervalues in response to therapy adjustments.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique fordelivering stimulation according to existing associations of therapyinformation and parameter values, and automatically associating existingtherapy information with additional patient parameter values.

FIG. 7 is a chart illustrating an example patient parameter values tablethat may be used for closed-loop adjustment of therapy.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example data structure and methodfor providing closed-loop therapy according to the invention based onmultiple sensed patient parameters.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another example technique forassociating therapy information with patient parameter values inresponse to therapy adjustments.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique forassociating therapy information with patient parameter values while thepatient assumes a plurality of postures or activities.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique fordelivering stimulation according to associations of therapy informationand parameter values or a predetermined default based on whether theparameter values are stable or transient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Electrical stimulation is one example of a therapy that may be deliveredin a closed-loop manner according to the present invention. Electricalstimulation may be, for example, used to treat patients that suffer fromchronic back pain, leg pain, or other pain that cannot be treatedthrough other methods. As a patient changes posture, the stimulation mayneed to be adjusted in order to maintain efficacy. The patient may use aprogrammer to manually change one or more stimulation parameters, e.g.,amplitude, to adjust the therapy in response to the posture change.Alternatively, the patient may select a new stimulation program, theprogram including new respective values for each of the stimulationparameters, to adjust the therapy.

While manual adjustment of stimulation may be effective, the patient isburdened by the need to adjust the therapy throughout a daily routine.According to some embodiments of the invention, a medical device, e.g.,an implantable medical device (IMD), includes or is coupled to a sensorthat senses a patient parameter, and delivers closed-loop therapy basedon values of the patient parameter. The IMD “learns” to provideclosed-loop therapy based on therapy adjustments made by the patient. Inparticular, the IMD associates patient parameter values with therapyinformation in response to therapy adjustments, and then automaticallydelivers therapy according to therapy information associated withparameter values. The patient may rarely need to manually enter anadjustment to the therapy after a medical device or other component of asystem according to the invention learns to automatically adjust thetherapy based on sensed patient parameter values.

For example, the IMD may store a table or other data structure thatcontains records, in which each record contains therapy informationassociated with a respective value of a patient parameter. The IMD mayautomatically update the table in response to a therapy adjustment fromthe patient, or may update the table after receiving confirmation thatthe adjusted therapy is desired. The IMD may update the program tableafter every adjustment input from the patient, after a complete therapyadjustment that includes a number of inputs, or periodically duringtherapy. While spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is described herein, theinvention may be applicable to any type of stimulation therapy. Further,the invention may be applicable to other non-stimulation therapies, suchas delivery of a therapeutic agent, e.g., a drug.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example system 10 thatfacilitates closed-loop therapy adjustment according to the invention.In the illustrated example, system 10 includes an IMD 12, which isimplanted within a patient 14, and delivers neurostimulation therapy topatient 14. In exemplary embodiments, IMD 12 takes the form of animplantable pulse generator, and delivers neurostimulation therapy topatient 14 in the form of electrical pulses.

IMD 12 delivers neurostimulation therapy to patient 14 via leads 16A and16B (collectively “leads 16”). Leads 16 may, as shown in FIG. 1, beimplanted proximate to the spinal cord 18 of patient 14, and IMD 12 maydeliver SCS therapy to patient 14 in order to, for example, reduce painexperienced by patient 14. However, the invention is not limited to theconfiguration of leads 16 shown in FIG. 1 or the delivery of SCStherapy. For example, one or more leads 16 may extend from IMD 12 to thebrain (not shown) of patient 14, and IMD 12 may deliver deep brainstimulation (DBS) therapy to patient 14 to, for example, treat tremor,Parkinson's disease, or epilepsy. As further examples, one or more leads16 may be implanted proximate to the pelvic nerves (not shown), stomach(not shown), or sexual organs (not shown) and IMD 12 may deliverneurostimulation therapy to treat incontinence, gastroparesis, or sexualdysfunction.

Further, as discussed above, the invention is not limited to embodimentsin which IMD 12 delivers stimulation therapy. For example, in someembodiments, IMD 12 may additionally or alternatively be coupled to oneor more catheters to deliver one or more therapeutic substances topatient 14, e.g., one or more drugs. Additionally, the invention is notlimited to implanted devices. Any implantable or external medical devicemay deliver closed-loop therapy according to the techniques of theinvention.

In exemplary embodiments, IMD 12 delivers therapy according to one ormore programs. A program includes one or more parameters that define anaspect of the therapy delivered by the medical device according to thatprogram. For example, a program that controls delivery of stimulation byIMD 12 in the form of pulses may define a voltage or current pulseamplitude, a pulse width, a pulse rate, for stimulation pulses deliveredby IMD 12 according to that program. Further, each of leads 16 includeselectrodes (not shown in FIG. 1), and the parameters for a program thatcontrols delivery of stimulation therapy by IMD 12 may includeinformation identifying which electrodes have been selected for deliveryof pulses according to the program, and the polarities of the selectedelectrodes, i.e., the electrode configuration for the program. Programsthat control delivery of other therapies by IMD 12 may include otherparameters. For example, a program that controls delivery of a drug orother therapeutic agent may include a titration rate or informationcontrolling the timing of bolus deliveries.

In exemplary embodiments, IMD 12 may also deliver therapy to patient 14according to therapy information within a record. A plurality of recordsare stored in a table or other data structure that is continuallyupdated as IMD 12 “learns” associations of therapy information withpatient parameter values. Each record includes at least one sensedpatient parameter value and associated therapy information. The therapyinformation may comprise a complete program that IMD 12 uses to delivertherapy, one or more parameter values, or absolute or percentageadjustments for one or more parameters. When IMD 12 detects a value of apatient parameter value, IMD 12 may adjust therapy as indicated by thetherapy information in the record for the parameter value, e.g., delivertherapy according to the program in the record, or adjust one or moreparameters as indicated by the therapy information in the record.

In the illustrated example, system 10 also includes a programming device20, which may, as shown in FIG. 1, be a handheld computing device.Programming device 20 allows a user to interact with IMD 12. Programmingdevice 20 may, for example, communicate via wireless communication withIMD 12 using radio-frequency (RF) telemetry techniques, or any othertechniques known in the art.

Programming device 20 may, as shown in FIG. 1, include a display 22 anda keypad 24 to allow the user to interact with programming device 20. Insome embodiments, display 22 may be a touch screen display, and the usermay interact with programming device 20 via display 22. The user mayalso interact with programming device 20 using peripheral pointingdevices, such as a stylus or mouse. Keypad 24 may take the form of analphanumeric keypad or a reduced set of keys associated with particularfunctions. In some embodiments, keypad 24 may include an increaseamplitude button and a decrease amplitude button to directly adjuststimulation amplitude.

In exemplary embodiments, programming device 20 is a patient programmerused by patient 14 to control the delivery of neurostimulation therapyby IMD 12. Patient 14 may use programming device 20 to activate ordeactivate, e.g., start or stop, neurostimulation therapy. Patient 14may also use programming device 20 to adjust the therapy. For example, apatient may use programming device 20 to select one or more programsfrom among a plurality of stored programs to be the current programsused by IMD 12 to deliver therapy, e.g., patient 14 may switch from oneprogram to another using programming device 20. The programs may bestored by IMD 12 or patient programmer 20. Further, patient 14 may alsouse programming device 20 to adjust therapy by adjusting one or morestimulation parameters, e.g., adjust the amplitude, width, or rate ofdelivered stimulation pulse, for the one or more current programs.

Patient 14 may provide a number of consecutive inputs to adjust thetherapy information. These consecutive inputs may be described singly asa “therapy adjustment.” Programming device 20 and IMD 12 may treat allconsecutive inputs as an adjustment before acting on the changes. Eachinput may only be separated by a pre-defined time delay, or all inputsmay occur within a predefined time period, to treat the inputs as oneadjustment.

When patient 14 adjusts one or more stimulation parameters, and/orswitches programs, IMD 12 detects a value of a sensed patient parameter,and associates therapy information with the detected value. In someembodiments, IMD 12 stores the associated parameter value and therapyinformation as a record within a table or other data structure. If anexisting record contains the same parameter value, IMD 12 may modify therecord to include new therapy information based on the patientadjustment. Otherwise, IMD 12 may add a new record with the associatedpatient parameter value and therapy information.

In some embodiments, the table or other data structure may be maintainedby, and stored in, programming device 20 instead of IMD 12. Accordingly,one or both of IMD 12 and programming device 20 may provide closed-loopadjustment of the therapy delivered by IMD 12 according to theinvention. In embodiments in which programming device 20 maintains thedata structure, the programming device may receive therapy adjustmentsfrom patient 14 via user interface components such as display 22 andkeypad 24. In such embodiments, programming device 20 may includesensors that sense the patient parameter, or may receive values of thepatient parameter from IMD 12. Programming device 20 may send commandsto IMD 12 based on therapy information stored in the data structure toeffect closed-loop delivery of therapy.

For ease of description, the provision of closed-loop therapy adjustmentwill be described hereinafter primarily with reference to embodiments inwhich IMD 12 provides the closed-loop therapy adjustments. However, itis understood that both of IMD 12 and programming device 20 are medicaldevices capable of providing closed-loop therapy adjustments accordingto the invention.

In response to receiving a therapy adjustment from patient 14, e.g., viaprogramming device 20, IMD 12 detects a value of a sensed patientparameter, and associates therapy information with the value. The sensedparameter value may be an activity and/or posture of patient 14, and thetherapy information may include the therapy parameters currently used,or adjustments to such parameters made, at the time the sensed patientparameter value was detected. In exemplary embodiments, IMD 12continually “learns” such associations, e.g., by updating a datastructure. Closed-loop delivery of therapy by IMD 12 based on theassociations of therapy information with sensed patient parameter valuesmay eventually eliminate the need for patient 14 to manually adjusttherapy parameters.

For example, patient 14 may adjust the amplitude of stimulation, whichmay indicate that the original program was inadequate to treat thepatient because of a change of symptoms. The change in symptoms may becorrelated with a change in a sensed patient parameter. For example,both of these changes may be due to the patient undertaking an activityor posture, such as running, golfing, taking medication, sleeping,sitting, bending over, transitioning from sitting to standing, or someparticular activity or posture related to an occupation of patient 14.IMD 12 may associate therapy information determined based on thereceived therapy adjustment with a value of a patient parameter, e.g.,an activity, activity level, or posture, that is sensed at the time ofthe therapy adjustment.

In some embodiments, a user other than patient 14 may user programmer20, or another programming device that may or may not be associated withpatient 14, to adjust therapy for patient. The therapy adjustments madeby another user may result in updating the table or other data structurewith a new or modified association of a therapy information with apatient parameter value.

Further, in some embodiments, IMD 12 may also monitor the sensed patientparameter, and create additional associations between parameter valuesand existing therapy information, without receiving any therapyadjustment from patient 14. In particular, when the sensed patientparameter value has changed without a therapy adjustment, IMD 12 mayautomatically associate the parameter value with therapy informationdetermined based on the current, unadjusted therapy parameters. In someembodiments, IMD 12 may only make such an automatic, non-adjustmentbased association if the sensed patient parameter value has changed by athreshold or “resolution” value, which may be for example an absolute orpercentage value.

The resolution value for the sensed patient parameter may control thesize and resolution of a data structure that stores associations betweenvalues of the patient parameter and therapy information; whether theassociations are made based on a therapy adjustment or not. Theresolution value may be set by, for example, a manufacturer of IMD 12 ora clinician, and controls difference in the parameter value that IMD 12identifies as being significant enough to update the data structure. Ifthe resolution value is set to a low value, the data structure mayinclude a greater number of records, each with respective values for thepatient parameter. A low resolution value may accordingly provide afiner stimulation control. Alternatively, the resolution value may beset to a higher value to limit the number of records in the datastructure, which would also result in less frequent therapy adjustments.In some embodiments, IMD 12 may lower the resolution value if existingrecords are frequently being modified or overwritten, e.g., in responseto frequent therapy adjustments by the patient or other user. Thisoccurrence may indicate that patient 12 or other user needs finercontrol of adjustments to stimulation therapy.

The sensed patient parameter may be activity, activity level, posture,or a physiological parameter of patient 14. Physiological parameters mayinclude heart rate, electromyography (EMG), an electroencephalogram(EEG), an electrocardiogram (ECG), temperature, respiration rate, or pH.A sensor used to sense such patient parameters may be implanted at asite within patient 14, worn on the exterior of the patient, or locatedwithin IMD 12. An example sensor is a 3-axis accelerometer locatedwithin IMD 12. Patient parameter values detected by IMD 12 based on thesignals generated by such a sensor may correspond to an activity orposture undertaken by patient 14, or a gross level of physical activity,e.g., activity counts based on footfalls or the like.

As an example, IMD 12 may record the output of a 3-axis accelerometer inresponse to a therapy adjustment, and associate the output with therapyinformation determined based on the adjustment. The recorded output maybe the result of patient 14 being in a prone position, for example. WhenIMD 12 later detects the same output from the accelerometer, e.g., whenpatient 14 is again in the prone position, IMD 12 may automaticallydeliver therapy appropriate for the prone position.

By providing therapy adjustments automatically, IMD 12 may allow patient14 to avoid having to manually adjust the therapy each time a particularpatient parameter value occurs, e.g., each time the patient engages in aparticular activity, activity level or posture. Such manual adjustmentof stimulation parameters can be tedious, requiring patient 14 to, forexample, depress one or more keys of keypad 24 multiple times during thepatient activity to maintain adequate symptom control. Instead,according to the invention, patient 14 may eventually need to manuallyadjust stimulation therapy rarely, if at all, once IMD 12 has compiled acomprehensive program table.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating IMD 12 in greater detail. IMD 12may deliver neurostimulation therapy via electrodes 30A-D of lead 16Aand electrodes 30E-H of lead 16B (collectively “electrodes 30”).Electrodes 30 may be ring electrodes. The configuration, type and numberof electrodes 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 are merely exemplary. Forexample, IMD 12 may only include one lead with eight electrodes on thelead.

Electrodes 30 are electrically coupled to a stimulation pulse generator32 via leads 16. Stimulation pulse generator 32 may, for example,include an output pulse generator coupled to a power source such as abattery. Stimulation pulse generator 32 may deliver electrical pulses topatient 14 via at least some of electrodes 30 under the control of aprocessor 34.

Processor 34 may control stimulation pulse generator 32 to deliverneurostimulation therapy according to a selected program. Specifically,processor 34 may control circuit 32 to deliver electrical pulses withthe amplitudes and widths, and at the rates specified by the program.Processor 34 may also control stimulation pulse generator 32 to deliverthe pulses via a selected subset of electrodes 30 with selectedpolarities, e.g., a selected electrode configuration, as specified bythe program.

Processor 34 may also control stimulation pulse generator 32 to deliverthe neurostimulation therapy according to records stored within a tableor other data structure, as described above. Processor 34 maintains,e.g., creates and modifies, the table. Specifically, processor 34 mayreceive a therapy adjustment from a user, such as patient 14, detect apatient parameter value, and associate therapy information with thepatient parameter value by creating or modifying a record within thedata structure, as described above.

Processor 34 may subsequently detect previously detected patientparameter values, and control stimulation pulse generator 32 to delivertherapy via at least some of electrodes 30 as indicated by theassociated therapy information. For example, processor 34 may controlstimulation pulse generator 32 to deliver stimulation pulses with theamplitude, width, rate, and/or electrode configuration indicated by thetherapy information, or, in some embodiments, may control stimulationpulse generator 32 to adjust the amplitude, width, and/or rate over timeas indicated by the therapy information.

IMD 12 also includes a telemetry circuit 38 that allows processor 34 tocommunicate with programming device 20. Processor 34 may receive programselections, therapy parameter adjustments, or other therapy adjustments,as well as commands to initiate or terminate stimulation, from a user,e.g., patient 14, using programming device 20 via telemetry circuit 38.In some embodiments, as will be described in greater detail below,processor 34 also communicates with a clinician programmer to providediagnostic information stored in memory 36 to a clinician via telemetrycircuit 38. The clinician programmer may operate similarly to programmer20, but the clinician programmer may be more fully featured, e.g.,provide greater control of or interaction with IMD 12, than programmingdevice 20. Telemetry circuit 38 may correspond to any telemetry circuitknown in the implantable medical device arts.

In exemplary embodiments, as described above, IMD 12 includes a sensor40 that senses a patient parameter, and processor 34 detects values ofthe patient parameter based on the signal generated by sensor 40 as afunction of the patient parameter. Sensor 40 may be a sensor thatgenerates an output based on activity, activity level, posture, and/orone or more physiological parameters of patient 14, as discussed above.In exemplary embodiments, sensor 40 is a 3-axis accelerometer, such as apiezoelectric and/or micro-electro-mechanical accelerometer. In otherembodiments, a single axis accelerometer may be employed, or multiplesingle axis accelerometers may be used in place of one 3-axisaccelerometer.

In some embodiments, processor 34 processes the analog output of sensor40 to determine digital activity and/or posture information. Forexample, where sensor 40 comprises a piezoelectric accelerometer,processor 34 may process the raw signal provided by sensor 40 todetermine activity counts. In some embodiments, IMD 12 includes multiplesensors oriented along various axes, or sensor 40 comprises a singlemulti-axis, e.g., three-axis, accelerometer. In such embodiments,processor 34 may process the signals provided by the one or more sensors40 to determine velocity of motion information for each axis.

Although illustrated in FIG. 2 as including a single sensor 40, systemsaccording to the invention may include any number of sensors 40. Inexemplary embodiments, the one or more sensors 40 are housed within ahousing (not shown) of IMD 12. However, the invention is not so limited.In some embodiments, one or more sensors 40 are coupled to IMD 12 viaadditional leads 16 (not shown). Such sensors may be located anywherewithin patient 14. In some embodiments, IMD 12 may be coupled tomultiple accelerometer sensors 40 located at various positions withinpatient 14 or on the external surface of patient 14, and processor 34may receive more detailed information about the posture of and activityundertaken by patient 14. For example, accelerometer sensors 40 may belocated within the torso and at a position within a limb, e.g. a leg, ofpatient 14.

In some embodiments, one or more sensors 40 may communicate wirelesslywith IMD 12 instead of requiring a lead to communicate with the IMD. Forexample, sensors 40 located external to patient 12 may communicatewirelessly with processor 34, either directly or via programming device20. In some embodiments, one or more sensors 40 may be included as partof or coupled to programming device 20.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to embodiments where sensors 40are accelerometers. In some embodiments, one or more sensors 40 may takethe form of, for example, a thermistor, a pressure transducer, orelectrodes to detect thoracic impedance or an electrogram. Such sensors40 may be appropriately positioned within patient 14, or on an externalsurface of the patient, to allow processor 34 to measure a physiologicalparameter of patient 14, such as a skin temperature, an arterial orintracardiac pressure, a respiration rate, a heart rate, or a Q-Tinterval of patient 14.

Processor 34 may include a microprocessor, a controller, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), discrete logiccircuitry, or the like. IMD 12 also includes a memory 36, which mayinclude program instructions that, when executed by processor 34, causeIMD 12 to perform the functions ascribed to IMD 12 herein. Memory 36 mayinclude any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electricalmedia, such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM), flash memory, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration ofmemory 36 of IMD 12. As illustrated in FIG. 3, memory 36 stores programs50, one or more of which processor 34 (FIG. 2) may select to controldelivery of stimulation by pulse generator 32 (FIG. 2), as describedabove. Each of the programs includes respective values for a pluralityof therapy parameters, such as pulse amplitude, pulse width, pulse rate,and electrode configuration, as described above. Processor 34 may selectone or more programs based on input or commands received from patient 14via programming device 20 and telemetry circuit 38. Programs 50 may havebeen generated using a clinician programmer, e.g., during an initial orfollow-up programming session, and received by processor 34 from theclinician programmer via telemetry circuitry 38. In other embodiments,programming device 20 stores programs 50, and processor 34 receivesselected programs from programming device 20 via telemetry circuit 38.

In some embodiments, memory 36 also stores an indication of the currenttherapy parameters 52 used by processor 34 to control delivery ofstimulation by stimulation pulse generator 32. Current therapyparameters 52 may be the one or more selected programs, or may reflectmodifications to one or more therapy parameters of the one or moreprograms based on patient adjustment. Further, processor 34 maydetermine current therapy parameters 52 based on therapy informationassociated with a detected value of a sensed patient parameter, asdescribed herein.

As described above, patient parameter values table 54 comprises aplurality of records that each include a respective value of a patientparameter and associated therapy information. When therapy is initiated,table 54 may be empty. As therapy progresses, processor 34 createsrecords, by associating therapy information with patient parametervalues, and stores them table 54. If a therapy adjustment causesprocessor 34 to identify a sensed patient parameter value that issubstantially identical to a patient parameter value for an existingrecord, processor 34 modifies existing record based on new therapyinformation in order to keep updated therapy information available forstimulation therapy. In this manner, IMD 12 is capable of adapting tochanges in patient 14 physiology during the therapy.

Processor 34 may also collect diagnostic information 56 and storediagnostic information 56 within memory 36 for future retrieval by aclinician. Diagnostic information 56 may, for example, include selectedrecordings of the output of sensor 40 and/or of therapy changes made bypatient 14. In exemplary embodiments, diagnostic information 56 includesinformation identifying the time at which patient sensor outputsoccurred, either during operation in a learning mode or as subsequentlydetected by processor 34. Diagnostic information 56 may include otherinformation or activities indicated by patient 14 using programmingdevice 20, such as changes in symptoms, taking medication, or otheractivities undertaken by patient 14. A clinician programming device (notshown in FIGS.) may present diagnostic information 56 to a clinician ina variety of forms, such as timing diagrams, or a graph resulting fromstatistical analysis of diagnostic information 56, e.g., a bar graph.Diagnostic information 56 may also include calibration routines for eachsensor 40 and malfunction algorithms to identify stimulationdysfunctions.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram further illustrating programming device 20. Asindicated above, in exemplary embodiments programming device 20 takesthe form of a patient programming device used by patient 14 to controldelivery of therapy by IMD 12. Patient 14 may interact with a processor60 via a user interface 62 in order to control delivery ofneurostimulation therapy, e.g., provide patient therapy adjustments, asdescribed herein. User interface 62 may include display 22 and keypad24, and may also include a touch screen or peripheral pointing devicesas described above. Keypad 24 may include an increase amplitude buttonand a decrease amplitude button. Processor 60 may also provide agraphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate interaction with patient14. Processor 60 may include a microprocessor, a controller, a DSP, anASIC, an FPGA, discrete logic circuitry, or the like.

Programming device 20 also includes a telemetry circuit 64 that allowsprocessor 60 to communicate with IMD 12. In exemplary embodiments,processor 60 communicates commands, indications, and therapy adjustmentsmade by patient 14 via user interface 62 to IMD 12 via telemetry circuit64. Telemetry circuit 64 may correspond to any telemetry circuit knownin the implantable medical device arts.

Programming device also includes a memory 66. In some embodiments,memory 66, rather than memory 36 of IMD 12, may store programs 50 andtable 54 to control delivery of neurostimulation therapy. Memory 66 mayalso include program instructions that, when executed by processor 60,cause programming device 20 to perform the functions ascribed toprogramming device 20 herein. Memory 66 may include any volatile,non-volatile, fixed, removable, magnetic, optical, or electrical media,such as a RAM, ROM, CD-ROM, hard disk, removable magnetic disk, memorycards or sticks, NVRAM, EEPROM, flash memory, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique forautomatically associating therapy information with patient parametervalues in response to patient therapy adjustments. More particularly,FIG. 5 illustrates an example technique for updating a program tablefollowing therapy adjustments by patient 14. The illustrated techniquemay be performed by a medical device, such as IMD 12, and will bedescribed with reference to IMD 12 and system 10.

During therapy, processor 34 of IMD 12 receives a therapy adjustmentfrom patient 14 via programmer 20, e.g., an amplitude adjustment (70).Processor 34 determines therapy information, such as the amount orpercentage of the amplitude adjustment, the adjusted value of theamplitude, or respective values for a plurality of therapy parametersincluding the adjusted amplitude value, based on the therapy adjustment.Processor 34 also identifies a current value of a sensed parameter ofpatient 14, such as posture or activity, based on a signal generated bysensor 40 (72).

Processor 34 determines whether any of the records in table 54 alreadyinclude or encompass the identified patient parameter value (74). If thepatient parameter value is already in an existing record of table 54,processor 34 modifies the existing record based on, e.g., to include,the newly determined therapy information (76). Otherwise, processor 34may enter a new record including the identified patient parameter valueand the determined therapy information into the table 54 (78). Thedetermination of whether a value of the sensed patient parameter isincluded in or encompassed by a record already in table 54, e.g.,whether the value is substantially equivalent to an existing value, maydepend on the resolution value for the sensed parameter, which wasdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 1.

In some cases, the therapy adjustment received from patient 14 may beone or more inputs or a command that stops delivery of therapy. Such anadjustment indicates that the current therapy parameter values 52,whether they were determined based on a program 50 or therapyinformation from table 54, were inappropriate for the current conditionof patient 14. The current condition of the patient is reflected by thecurrent value of a sensed patient parameter. As an example, the patientmay stop therapy if it becomes too intense when a particular posture isassumed.

In response to such a therapy adjustment, processor 34 may remove anycurrent association between the current value of the sensed patientparameter and therapy information, e.g., delete any record in table 54for the current value of the sensed patient parameter. In this manner,next time patient 14 assumes a problematic posture or activity, nochange in therapy from whatever therapy is currently being deliveredwill occur. However, whatever is being delivered may also cause patient14 to experience discomfort. Accordingly, processor 34 may create a newrecord, or modify an existing record, such that a relatively innocuous,predetermined therapy program is associated with the patient parametervalue that indicates the problematic condition, e.g., posture oractivity, of the patient.

Alternatively, processor 34 or programming device 20 may request patient14 to assume the activity or posture associated with the therapyshutdown, and manually find therapy parameters that provide comfortableand efficacious therapy. In this case, processor 34 or the programmingdevice may provide some guidance or direction to patient 14 to assist inquickly determining therapy parameters that are effective. Once suchparameters are found, IMD 12 may create a record in table 54 thatassociates the previously problematic sensed patient parameter valuewith the therapy information chosen by patient 14.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique fordelivering stimulation according to existing associations of therapyinformation and parameter values, and also automatically associatingexisting therapy information with additional patient parameter values.The illustrated technique may be performed by a medical device, such asIMD 12, and will be described with reference to IMD 12 and system 10. Asshown in FIG. 6, processor 34 of IMD 12 controls pulse generator 32 todeliver therapy according to the therapy information stored in table 54(80). For example, processor 34 may adjust therapy parameters or changetherapy programs as indicated by therapy information stored in recordsof table 54. Processor 34 accesses different records, and thus differenttherapy information, based on detected values of a sensed patientparameter.

If processor 34 detects a change in the patient parameter value (82),the processor may determine whether the parameter value is already inthe table (84). As discussed above, this determination may depend on aresolution value for the sensed patient parameter. If the detectedpatient parameter value is already in table 54, processor 34 may controlgenerator 32 to deliver therapy according to the table, e.g., accordingto the therapy information associated with the detected patientparameter value in the table (80). This may include adjusting one ormore parameters or changing a program. If the detected patient parametervalue is not already in table 54, processor 34 may enter a new record intable 54 for the value, which associates the detected patient parametervalue with the current therapy parameter values 52 (86). In this manner,processor 34 may more quickly populate table 54 with therapy informationfor various values of the sensed patient parameter than would bepossible if generation of new records was limited to being responsivetherapy adjustments from by the patient.

In some embodiments, processor 34 may wait a predetermined time afterthe sensed patient parameter value changes before storing a new record.Since the output of sensor 40 may change rapidly, recording a new recordfor each small change in sensor output may not be necessary or evenpossible without slowing down the performance of processor 34. Processor34 may wait for 10 seconds, for example, in order to let the sensoroutput stabilize before generating a new record.

FIG. 7 is a chart illustrating an example patient parameter value tablethat may be used for closed-loop adjustment of therapy. Table 110 maycorrespond to table 54 stored in memory 36 of IMD 12. As shown in FIG.7, table 110 includes a plurality of records. Each record contains anaccelerometer output, which is an example of a value of a sensed patientparameter, as well as an amplitude, a pulse width, a pulse frequency,and an electrode configuration, which are values for example therapyparameters. Processor 34 may search table 110 based on acurrently-detected accelerometer output in order to match therapy to thecurrent condition, e.g., posture, of patient 14.

The accelerometer output is from a 3-axis accelerometer. A measuredacceleration in each direction creates a vector acceleration. Therefore,each accelerometer output includes an X variable, a Y variable, and a Zvariable. If one of the three variables is different between an existingrecord and a new record, processor 34 may enter the new record intoprogram table 110. The value of the accelerometer may be a raw value ora calibrated value equal to the actual acceleration. The resolutionvalue may be equal to the maximum range of each acceleration componentdivided by a pre-set size. For example, the maximum range may be 10volts, and the pre-set size may be 100. Therefore, the resolution valuefor each component is 0.1 volts. In some embodiments, each component ofthe acceleration value may have a different resolution value.

With respect to the therapy information, the amplitude is in volts, thepulse width is in microseconds (μs), the pulse frequency is in Hertz(Hz), and the electrode configuration determines the electrodes andpolarity used for delivery of stimulation according to the record. Theamplitude of program table 110 is the voltage amplitude, but otherembodiments may use a current amplitude. In the illustrated example,each record includes a complete set of therapy parameters, e.g., acomplete program, as therapy information. In other embodiments, eachrecord may include one or more individual parameter values, orinformation characterizing an adjustment to one or more parametervalues.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example data structure and methodfor providing closed-loop therapy according to the invention based onmultiple sensed patient parameters. In some embodiments, each record oftable 54 may include respective values for each of a plurality of sensedpatient parameters. Processor 34 may deliver therapy according totherapy information within a record in response to detecting therespective parameter values for the record in combination.

FIG. 8 illustrates a matrix 112, which may correspond to such a table.Records with respective therapy information associated with respectivevalues for each of a plurality of sensed patient parameters may beconsidered to reside at one of points 120, 122 and 124 within amulti-dimensional patient parameter space. Patient 14 temperature,posture, and heart rate are the three exemplary parameters ofthree-dimensional matrix 112. Matrix 112 may contain numerous records atvarious “locations” throughout the parameter space represented bymatrix, each record with a respective combination of values for aplurality of sensed patient parameters, which is associated withrespective therapy information.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another example technique forassociating therapy information with patient parameter values inresponse to therapy adjustments. According to the example, processor 34receives a therapy adjustment from patient 14 (130), and determinestherapy information based on the therapy adjustment, as described above(132). Processor 34 also identifies a value of a patient parameter, suchas posture or activity level, as described above (134).

In the example of FIG. 9, the patient or other user is then prompted toconfirm that the association of the determined therapy information andthe patient parameter value should be stored in the table, i.e., thatthe current therapy is desirable (136). Processor 34 and/or processor 60of programmer 20 may prompt the patient and receive the confirmation viaa user interface, such as user interface 62 or programmer 20. Thisconfirmation may be provided in some embodiments as an alternative toautomatically entering new associations in the table, as was the case inFIG. 5, to, for example, allow a patient time to evaluate the efficacyof a therapy adjustment prior to creating a record in the table based onthe adjustment. If confirmation is received from the patient or otheruser (138), processor 34 may determine whether the value of the patientparameter is already found in the table (140), and either modify anexisting record (142) or enter a new record (144) in the table asdescribed above.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique forassociating therapy information with patient parameter values while thepatient assumes a plurality of postures or activities. In someembodiments, it may be desirable for a patient, with or withoutclinician assistance, to initially fill in a significant portion of thetable for a range of patient parameter values, e.g., postures oractivities, in a structured or concerted manner. In other words, ratherthen only populating the table as activities or postures are naturallyassumed by the patient, it may be desirable for patient to intentionallyassume a range of activities and postures during one or more sessions topopulate the table with efficacious therapies.

According to the example of FIG. 10, patient 14 assumes a posture oractivity (150). While the patient is assuming the posture or activity,patient 14 or another user, e.g., a clinician, may then adjust therapyas necessary to achieve a desired setting for the assumed posture oractivity (152). Processor 34 may then sense a value of the patientparameter while the patient is within the posture or engaged in theactivity (154). For example, processor 34 may receive signals indicatingposture or activity from a sensor, such as a multi-axis accelerometer.Processor 34 also determines therapy information based on the therapyadjustment made with the patient in the posture or activity (156), andassociates the therapy information with the sensed value of the patientparameter, e.g., the value generated by the multi-axis accelerometer(158). The association may be automatic or based on patientconfirmation, as discussed above. This process may continue so long asthe patient wishes to continue assuming postures and/or activities(160).

The postures and activities may be predetermined, and may have beenselected to cover a desired range of posture and activities. In somecases, the tested postures and activities may be selected to reflect thelifestyle of the patient. Further, in some embodiments, the testing ofpostures and activities may be directed by a clinician, IMD orprogramming device.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique fordelivering stimulation according to either therapy informationassociated with patient parameter values, or predetermined defaulttherapy information, based on whether the patient parameter values arestable or transient. When delivering therapy from IMD 12 based ontherapy information/patient parameter value associations, there may be adelay, or “lag,” prior to identifying the correct therapy informationfor a particular patient parameter value. Thus, when the patientparameter is rapidly changing, e.g., when the patient is quicklytransitioning between activities or postures, the therapy may beinappropriate for a short period of time prior to identifying thecorrect therapy information. Inappropriate therapy may cause, forexample, patient discomfort.

To avoid delivering inappropriate therapy, IMD 12 may instead deliver apredetermined, default, known-safe therapy, or suspend therapy, duringtimes in which the patient parameter is rapidly and/or transientlychanging. According to the example of FIG. 11, processor 34 senses theone or more patient parameter values (170). Processor 34 then determineswhether the patient parameter values are transient or stable (172). Forexample, processor 34 may determine whether the rate of change of theparameter values exceeds a threshold.

If the patient parameter is transient, e.g., rapidly changing, processor34 controls delivery of therapy according to predetermined, defaulttherapy information, which may include low values for therapy parameterssuch as amplitude, pulse width, or pulse rate, for a predeterminedperiod of time (174). In other embodiments, the predetermined, defaulttherapy information may cause processor 34 to suspend delivery oftherapy for a period of time. The predetermined period of time may bechosen such that the patient parameter is likely to be stable at the endof the period, e.g., the patient is likely to be stably within the newposture or activity. If the patient parameter value is stable, e.g., therate of change is below the threshold, processor 34 may control deliveryof therapy according to therapy information associated with the stablevalue in the table or other data structure.

Various embodiments of the described invention may include processorsthat are realized by microprocessors, Application-Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASIC), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), or otherequivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. A processor may alsoutilize several different types of data storage media to storecomputer-readable instructions for device operation. These memory andstorage media types may include any form of computer-readable media suchas magnetic or optical tape or disks, solid state volatile ornon-volatile memory, including random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), electronically programmable memory (EPROM or EEPROM), orflash memory. Each storage option may be chosen depending on theembodiment of the invention.

Many embodiments of the invention have been described. However, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that various modification may be madeto the described embodiments without departing from the scope of theinvention. For example, the invention is not limited to medical devicesthat deliver neurostimulation therapy or to implantable medical devices.Rather, systems that facilitate automatic therapy adjustment accordingto the invention may include one or more implantable or external medicaldevices, of any type, that deliver therapy to a patient. For example, insome embodiments, an implantable or external pump that delivers atherapeutic agent to a patient can provide automatic therapy adjustmentaccording to the invention. Further, as discussed above, a programmingdevice, rather than the therapy delivering device, may provideclosed-loop therapy adjustments according to the techniques of theinvention.

Additionally, in some embodiments, a system that facilitates automatictherapy adjustment does not include a programming device at all. Where asystem includes an external medical device that provides therapy to apatient, for example, a user may interact with a user interface providedby the medical device and a programming device may therefore beunnecessary. A user may also interact with an implanted medical deviceusing a magnetic activator, or by tapping over the implanted medicaldevice, which may be detected via an accelerometer, as is known in theart. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. A method comprising: using one or more processors: receiving atherapy adjustment and a subsequent confirmation from a user;determining therapy information based on the therapy adjustment;determining a value of a sensed parameter of a patient, wherein thesensed parameter of the patient is sensed via a sensor; deliveringtherapy to the patient according to the therapy information in responseto receiving the therapy adjustment, wherein the subsequent confirmationfrom the user is received after the therapy is delivered to the patientaccording to the therapy information; associating the therapyinformation with the value of the sensed parameter of the patient inresponse to the subsequent confirmation; subsequently detecting thevalue of the sensed parameter; and automatically delivering therapy tothe patient according to the therapy information associated with thevalue in response to the subsequent detection.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising prompting the user to confirm that the therapyinformation should be associated with the value in response to thedelivery of therapy to the patient according to the therapy informationdetermined in response to receiving the therapy adjustment, whereinreceiving a subsequent confirmation comprises receiving the confirmationin response to the prompting.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving one of a plurality of therapy adjustments andsubsequent confirmations from the user whenever the user adjusts thetherapy; for each of the therapy adjustments, determining respectivetherapy information based on the therapy adjustment, and associating therespective therapy information with a respective value of the sensedparameter in response to the respective confirmation; subsequentlydetecting the plurality of values of the sensed parameter over time; andautomatically delivering therapy to the patient according to therespective therapy information associated with the detected values ofthe sensed parameter.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the patientassumes each of a plurality of at least one of postures or activities,and receiving one of a plurality of therapy adjustments comprisesreceiving one of the plurality of therapy adjustments for each of thepostures or activities.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprisingdirecting the patient to assume the plurality of at least one ofpostures or activities.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at leastone of postures or activities are predetermined.
 7. The method of claim5, wherein directing the patient to assume the plurality of at least oneof postures or activities comprises directing the patient via aprogramming device.
 8. The method of claim 3, further comprising:detecting a rate of change of the sensed parameter value that exceeds athreshold; and delivering the therapy according to predetermined defaulttherapy information for a predetermined period of time in response tothe detection.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein delivering the therapyaccording to predetermined default therapy information comprisessuspending the therapy for the predetermined period of time.
 10. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising maintaining a data structure,wherein associating the sensed parameter values with the respectivetherapy information comprises storing the associated parameter valuesand therapy information as respective records within the data structure.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the value of the sensed parameterindicates at least one of patient posture or patient activity.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein therapy comprises stimulation and the therapyinformation comprises values for a plurality of stimulation parameters.13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is the patient.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the therapy adjustment comprises anadjustment of a value of at least one parameter of the therapy deliveredby a medical device to the patient.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe therapy comprises electrical stimulation therapy, and wherein the atleast one parameter of the therapy comprises at least one stimulationparameter.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least onestimulation parameter includes at least one of amplitude, pulse width,pulse rate, or electrode configuration.
 17. A system comprising: amedical device configured to deliver a therapy to a patient; a sensorconfigured to sense a parameter of the patient; a user interface; and aprocessor configured to: receive a therapy adjustment and subsequentconfirmation from a user via the user interface, determine therapyinformation based on the therapy adjustment, determine a value thesensed parameter of the patient via the sensor, deliver therapy to thepatient according to the therapy information in response to receivingthe therapy adjustment, wherein the subsequent confirmation from theuser is received after the therapy is delivered to the patient accordingto the therapy information, associate the value of the sensed parameterdetected via the sensor with the therapy information in response to thesubsequent confirmation, subsequently detect the value of the sensedparameter via the sensor, and automatically control the medical deviceto deliver therapy to the patient according to the therapy informationassociated with the value in response to the subsequent detection. 18.The system of claim 17, wherein the processor prompts the user via theuser interface to confirm that the therapy information should beassociated with the value in response to the delivery of therapy to thepatient according to the therapy information determined in response toreceiving the therapy adjustment, and receives the confirmation via theuser interface in response to the prompting.
 19. The system of claim 17,wherein the processor receives one of a plurality of therapy adjustmentsand subsequent confirmations from the user whenever the user adjusts thetherapy via the user interface, and, for each of the therapyadjustments, determines respective therapy information based on thetherapy adjustment, and associates the respective therapy informationwith a respective value of the sensed parameter in response to therespective confirmation, wherein the processor subsequently detects theplurality of values of the sensed parameter via the sensor over time,and automatically controls the medical device to deliver therapy to thepatient according to the respective therapy information associated withthe detected values of the sensed parameter.
 20. The system of claim 19,wherein the patient assumes each of a plurality of at least one ofpostures or activities, and the processor receives one of the pluralityof therapy adjustments via the user interface for each of the posturesor activities.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein processor directs thepatient to assume the plurality of at least one of postures oractivities via the user interface.
 22. The system of claim 19, whereinthe processor detects a rate of change of the sensed parameter valuethat exceeds a threshold, and controls the medical device to deliver thetherapy according to predetermined default therapy information for apredetermined period of time in response to the detection.
 23. Thesystem of claim 22, wherein the processor causes the medical device tosuspend delivery of therapy for the predetermined period of time basedon the predetermined default therapy information.
 24. The system ofclaim 19, further comprising a memory, wherein the processor stores theassociated parameter values and therapy information as respectiverecords within a data structure within the memory.
 25. The system ofclaim 17, wherein medical device delivers stimulation, and the therapyinformation comprises values for a plurality of stimulation parameters.26. The system of claim 17, wherein the medical device comprises theprocessor, and wherein the medical device comprises the sensor or iscoupled to the sensor.
 27. The system of claim 17, wherein the medicaldevice is implantable within the patient.
 28. The system of claim 17,wherein medical device delivers pain therapy to the patient.
 29. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the medical device delivers spinal cordstimulation therapy to the patient.
 30. The system of claim 17, whereinthe therapy adjustment comprises an adjustment of a value of at leastone parameter of the therapy delivered by a medical device to thepatient.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the therapy compriseselectrical stimulation therapy, and wherein the at least one parameterof the therapy comprises at least one stimulation parameter.
 32. Thesystem of claim 31, wherein the at least one stimulation parameterincludes at least one of amplitude, pulse width, pulse rate, orelectrode configuration.
 33. The system of claim 17, wherein the valueof the sensed parameter indicates at least one of patient posture orpatient activity.
 34. A system comprising: means for receiving a therapyadjustment and a subsequent confirmation from a user; means fordetermining therapy information based on the therapy adjustment; meansfor detecting a value of a sensed parameter of a patient; means fordelivering therapy to the patient according to the therapy informationin response to receiving the therapy adjustment, wherein the means forreceiving receives the confirmation from the user after the therapy isdelivered to the patient according to the therapy information; means forassociating the therapy information with the value of the sensedparameter of the patient in response to the subsequent confirmation;means for subsequently detecting the value of the sensed parameter; andmeans for automatically delivering therapy to the patient according tothe therapy information associated with the value in response to thesubsequent detection.
 35. The system of claim 34, further comprisingmeans for prompting the user to confirm that the therapy informationshould be associated with the value in response to the delivery oftherapy to the patient according to the therapy information determinedin response to receiving the therapy adjustment, wherein the means forreceiving a subsequent confirmation comprises means for receiving theconfirmation in response to the prompting.
 36. The system of claim 34,wherein the means for receiving a therapy adjustment comprises means forreceiving one of a plurality of therapy adjustments and subsequentconfirmations from the user whenever the user adjusts the therapy,wherein the means for determining therapy information comprises meansfor determining respective therapy information based on the therapyadjustment for each of the therapy adjustments, wherein the means forassociating comprises means for associating the respective therapyinformation with a respective value of the sensed parameter in responseto the respective confirmation, wherein the means for subsequentlydetecting comprises means for subsequently detecting the plurality ofvalues of the sensed parameter over time, and wherein the means forautomatically delivering comprises means for automatically deliveringtherapy to the patient according to the respective therapy informationassociated with the detected values of the sensed parameter.
 37. Thesystem of claim 36, wherein the patient assumes each of a plurality ofat least one of postures or activities, and the means for receiving oneof a plurality of therapy adjustments comprises means for receiving oneof the plurality of therapy adjustments for each of the postures oractivities.
 38. The system of claim 36, further comprising: means fordetecting a rate of change of the sensed parameter value that exceeds athreshold; and means for delivering the therapy according topredetermined default therapy information for a predetermined period oftime in response to the detection.
 39. The system of claim 38, whereinthe means for delivering the therapy according to predetermined defaulttherapy information comprises means for suspending the therapy for thepredetermined period of time.
 40. The system of claim 34, wherein thetherapy adjustment comprises an adjustment of a value of at least oneparameter of the therapy delivered by a medical device to the patient.41. The system of claim 40, wherein the therapy comprises electricalstimulation therapy, and wherein the at least one parameter of thetherapy comprises at least one stimulation parameter.
 42. The system ofclaim 41, wherein the at least one stimulation parameter includes atleast one of amplitude, pulse width, pulse rate, or electrodeconfiguration.
 43. The system of claim 34, wherein the value of thesensed parameter indicates at least one of patient posture or patientactivity.